Open Spaces Society

THE Open Spaces Society in Henley was delighted by the government’s announcement that it will legislate to remove Path-Extinguishment Day on January 1, 2031 in England.

So declared Phil Wadey, chairman of the society at its annual general meeting on Thursday last week. He said: “We were also pleased when the submissions by the society led to the Welsh Government’s inclusion of Path-Extinguishment Day repeal in its Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Bill, which has completed passage through the Senedd and is now awaiting royal assent.

“This is really good news for our 160th anniversary annual meeting. However, there is still much to be done.

“At last year’s annual meeting, held on the day of the general election, in addition to the Path-Extinguishment Day repeal, I called on the new government to treat public access as a priority. We are still waiting.

“For instance, we need action on the announced provision of green space within 15 minutes’ walk for everyone, a duty on county and unitary councils to enforce against unlawful encroachments on commons and a mandate for the registration of town and village greens in every development over a certain size or density. That would help to ensure that open space is protected for all to enjoy.

“We need a new access bill to extend responsible freedom of access under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to woodlands, watersides and water, bringing access close to home — and the right to backpack camp to be extended beyond the Dartmoor commons to open country in general.

“The society will campaign, as it has done for the past 160 years, for equitable public access and for our rights to enjoy paths and spaces to be upheld.”

The Open Spaces Society was founded in 1865 and is Britain’s oldest national conservation body.

It campaigns to protect common land, village greens, open spaces and public paths and people’s right to enjoy them.